MIT researchers discovered that using AI for just 10 minutes can significantly impair problem-solving abilities. In experiments involving hundreds of participants, those who used an AI assistant were more likely to abandon tasks or make mistakes when the tool was suddenly unavailable. The study raises questions about how AI might boost short-term productivity at the expense of developing foundational skills.

The experiments involved various cognitive tasks including fractions and reading comprehension. Participants given AI help performed better initially but struggled when the assistant was removed. Michiel Bakker, the MIT assistant professor who led the study, warns this could undermine learning. "We should be more careful about what kind of help AI provides, and when," he cautions, noting persistence is crucial for acquiring new skills.

Bakker, formerly at Google DeepMind, suggests AI tools should sometimes prioritize learning over solving problems directly. "Systems that give direct answers may have very different long-term effects from systems that scaffold, coach, or challenge the user," he explains. The author shares personal experience with AI causing system failures when used for critical tasks, illustrating how over-reliance on AI can lead to problems without developing proper understanding.